Golf Ball Marker Assembly

ABSTRACT

A golf ball marker assembly comprising a base and a golf ball marker releasably attached to the base, so that a portion of the base and of the golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. The visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base being configured to cooperate to form a representation of a creature, such as bug.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to golf ball markers of the type used to mark theposition of a golf ball on a golf green.

Golfers use golf ball markers to mark the position of their golf ball ona golf green, so that other golfers can putt without interference. Forthis purpose the marker must be small and unobtrusive, which makes themarkers notoriously difficult to keep track of. Various efforts havebeen made to secure golf ball markers so that they are readilyaccessible and harder to lose. These efforts have met with varyingsuccess, but generally have not been aesthetically pleasing,particularly for female golfers.

SUMMARY

Generally, embodiments of the invention provide a golf ball markerassembly comprising a base and a golf ball marker releasably attached tothe base. In the preferred embodiments, a portion of the base and of thegolf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached tothe base. The visible portions of the golf ball marker and the basebeing configured to cooperate to form a representation of a recognizablefigure, such as of a creature.

In some embodiments the golf ball marker is releasably attached to thebase with at least one magnet. In other embodiments the golf ball markeris releasably attached to the base with mating portions of ahook-and-loop type fastening material. However the golf ball marker canbe releasably attached to the base with any durable means that securelyholds the marker, yet which allows the marker to be easily removed bythe golfer when needed.

Some embodiments of the golf ball marker assembly can include means forsecuring the base to an article of clothing. In some embodiments thismeans can comprises a clip. In other embodiments this means can comprisea pin.

In the one preferred embodiment the recognizable figure that the baseand golf ball marker cooperate to form a creature, and moreparticularly, a bug. In some embodiments the bug is a lady bug. In theseembodiments the base could, for example, depict at least a portion ofthe lady bug's head, and the golf ball marker could depict at least aportion of the lady bug's body. In another preferred embodiment thecreature that the base and golf ball marker cooperate to form is a bee.In these embodiments the base, could for example depict at least aportion of the bee's head, and the golf ball marker could depicts atleast a portion of the bee's body. In these preferred embodiments, thebase comprises a mounting portion for releasably mounting the marker anda raised portion adjacent to the mounting portion. The raised portionforms at least part of the visible portion of the base. In otherembodiments the recognizable figure could be a plant, such as a flower,or some inanimate object.

Thus embodiments of the invention provide a golf ball marker assemblythat is highly aesthetic, provide a golf ball marker in a convenientlocation where it can be readily accessed and removed when needed, butwhich securely holds the marker when it is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of golf ball markerassembly according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 1,with the marker removed, showing the base;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ballmarker assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ballmarker assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker of the golf ballmarker assembly of FIG. 1,

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker assembly;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of golf ball markerassembly according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ballmarker assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the golf ball marker of the golf ballmarker assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a side elevation view of the golf ball marker of the golfball marker assembly of FIG. 8;

FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of a golf ball markerassembly according to the principles of this invention;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 12,showing the marker separated from the base;

FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a fourth embodiment of a golf ball markerassembly according to the principles of this invention; and

FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the golf ball marker assembly of FIG. 14,showing the marker separated from the base.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughoutthe several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A first embodiment of a golf ball marker assembly constructed accordingto the principles of this invention is indicated generally as 20 inFIGS. 1, 6, and 7. The assembly 20 comprises a base 22 and a golf ballmarker 24 releasably attached to the base. The base 22 and the golf ballmarker 24 are arranged so that a portion of the base and of the golfball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attached to thebase. These visible portions of the golf ball marker and the base arepreferably configured to cooperate to form a representation of a readilyrecognizable figure, and most preferably a creature. In the firstpreferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 7, this creature is a ladybug, and in the second preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 8-11, thiscreature is a bee, but the invention is not so limited and the creaturecould be some other type of bug, or even some other type of figurealtogether.

The golf ball marker 24 is preferably releasably attached to the base 22with at least one magnet. As shown in FIG. 2, magnets 26 are mounted onthe base 22 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottom surface ofthe marker 24. The golf ball marker 24 is made of, or includes,magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, and held by themagnets 26 (the magnets could instead be provided on the golf ballmarker 24 for magnetically attaching the marker to the base).Alternatively the golf ball marker 24 can be releasably attached to thebase 22 with mating portions of a hook-and-loop type fastening material,or some other means of releasable attachment.

The golf ball marker assembly 20 preferably further comprises means forsecuring the base 22 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse,sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternativelythe golf ball marker assembly 20 can be incorporated into a piece ofjewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base22 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of thebase. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin 28as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32.

As discussed above, the golf ball marker assembly 20 is preferably inthe form of a lady bug, in which case the base 22 can depict at least aportion of the lady bug's head, and the golf ball marker 24 depicts atleast a portion of the lady bug's body. To this end, the golf ballmarker 24 has a generally oval shape, like the body of the lady bug, andcontrasting spots 34, to make the creature look like a lady bug.Alternatively, the golf ball marker assembly can depict some other bug,such as a bee. In this case, as in the second preferred embodimentindicated generally as 20′ and shown in FIGS. 8-11, the base 22′ candepict at least a portion of the bee's head, and the golf ball marker24′ can depict at least a portion of the bee's body. To this end, thegolf ball marker 24′ has a generally oval shape, like the body of a bee,and contains stripes 36, to make the creature look like a bee. Ofcourse, the golf ball marker assembly can be constructed with a singlebase 22 and two or more golf ball markers, such as marker 24 and 24′, sothat the user can change the look of the golf ball marker assembly, tocoordinate with a particular outfit or to suit a particular mood.

The golf ball marker assembly could also be in the form of some othertype of creature, such as a butterfly, as in the third preferredembodiment, indicated generally as 40 and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Theassembly 40 comprises a base 42 and a golf ball marker 44 releasablyattached to the base. The base 42 and the golf ball marker 44 arearranged so that portions of the base and of the golf ball marker arevisible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. These visibleportions of the golf ball marker and the base are configured tocooperate to form a representation of a butterfly.

The golf ball marker 44 is preferably releasably attached to the base 42with at least one magnet 46. As shown in FIG. 13, two magnets 46 aremounted on the base 42 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottomsurface of the marker 44. The golf ball marker 44 is made of, orincludes, magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, andheld by the magnets 46. Alternatively the golf ball marker 44 can bereleasably attached to the base 42 with mating portions of ahook-and-loop type fastening material, or some other means of releasableattachment.

The golf ball marker assembly 40 preferably further comprises means forsecuring the base 42 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse,sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternativelythe golf ball marker assembly 40 can be incorporated into a piece ofjewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base42 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of thebase. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin(such as the pin 28 of the first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS.6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32).

The golf ball marker assembly could also be in the form of some otherrecognizable shape, such as a flower, as in the fourth preferredembodiment, indicated generally as 50 and shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Theassembly 50 comprises a base 52 and a golf ball marker 54 releasablyattached to the base. The base 52 and the golf ball marker 54 arearranged so that portions of the base and of the golf ball marker arevisible when the golf ball marker is attached to the base. These visibleportions of the golf ball marker and the base are configured tocooperate to form a representation of a flower.

The golf ball marker 54 is preferably releasably attached to the base 52with at least one magnet 56. As shown in FIG. 15, a single magnet 56 ismounted on the base 52 for releasably magnetically engaging the bottomsurface of the marker 54. The golf ball marker 54 is made of, orincludes, magnetically responsive material that is attracted to, andheld by the magnet 56. Alternatively the golf ball marker 54 can bereleasably attached to the base 52 with mating portions of ahook-and-loop type fastening material, or some other means of releasableattachment.

The golf ball marker assembly 50 preferably further comprises means forsecuring the base 52 to an article of clothing, such as a blouse,sweater, hat, head band, belt, skirt, pants, or shorts. Alternativelythe golf ball marker assembly 50 can be incorporated into a piece ofjewelry, such as a necklace or bracelet. The means for securing the base52 can comprise a clip (not shown) formed on the rear surface of thebase. Alternatively, the means for securing the base comprises a pin(such as the pin 28 of the first preferred embodiment, as shown in FIGS.6 and 7, with a spring-loaded pin 30 and catch 32).

Preferably, in these embodiments the base 22, 22′, 42 or 52 comprises amounting portion 60 for releasably mounting the marker, e.g. 24, 24′, 42or 52, and a raised portion 62 adjacent the mounting portion. The baseof each embodiment, and in particular the raised portion 62, and thegolf ball marker 24, 24′, 44 or 54 preferably have mating concave-convexportions so that a portion of one is received within a portion of theother. This helps provide greater security, preventing the golf ballmarker from being inadvertently knocked off of the base, and a curvedrather than straight interface between the base and the golf ball markerhelps disguise the removable nature of the golf ball marker.

Operation

In operation, the golf ball marker assembly constructed according to theprinciples of this invention 20, 20′, 40 or 50 is secured on the golf orthe golfer's clothing, such as the golfer's blouse or belt or hat,preferably using an integral clip or a pin 28. The base and the markercooperate to form a representation of an attractive creature, such as alady bug in the case of assembly 20, or a bee in the case of assembly20′, a butterfly in the case of assembly 40, or a flower in the case ofassembly 50. The representation makes the marker easy to spot, yetbecause the base and marker cooperate to form an image of a recognizablefigure, hide the utilitarian nature of the golf ball marker from others,disguising it as an attractive piece of jewelry. When the golfer desiresto use the marker, the golfer pulls on the marker 24, 24′, 44, or 54 tofree it from the base, and places it on the surface of the green to markthe ball's position. The golf ball marker is relatively small, flat andunobtrusive, for this purpose, and could easily be lost if it could notbe securely stored on the base when not is use. When the need for themarker has passed, the golfer simply replaces the marker on the base.The raised portion 60 of the base is roughly the same height as the topsurface of the golf ball marker, so that that the marker is roughlyflush with the visible portions of the base, enhancing the appearance,and helping to partially shield the golf ball marker, so that it is notinadvertently knocked off of the base.

To enhance the appearance of the golf ball marker assembly, the visibleportions of the base and marker can be covered with decorative coating,such as enamel, and/or encrusted with real of man-made gemstones, orboth, or otherwise decorated to enhance their appearance. This helpsenhance the appearance of the golf ball marker assembly, and furtherdisguises its true functional nature.

1. A golf ball marker assembly comprising: a base; a golf ball markerreleasably attached to the base, so that a portion of the base and ofthe golf ball marker are visible when the golf ball marker is attachedto the base, the visible portions of the golf ball marker and the basebeing configured to cooperate to form a representation of an object. 2.The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the golf ballmarker is releasably attached to the base with at least one magnet. 3.The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the golf ballmarker is releasably attached to the base with mating portions of ahook-and-loop type fastening material.
 4. The golf ball marker assemblyaccording to claim 1 further comprising means for securing the base toan article of clothing.
 5. The golf ball marker assembly according toclaim 4 wherein the means for securing the base comprises a clip.
 6. Thegolf ball marker assembly according to claim 4 wherein the means forsecuring the base comprises a pin.
 7. The golf ball marker assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the object is a plant.
 8. The golf ballmarker assembly according to claim 1 wherein the object is a creature.9. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 8 wherein thecreature is a bug.
 10. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim9 wherein the bug is a lady bug.
 11. The golf ball marker assemblyaccording to claim 10 wherein the base depicts at least a portion of thelady bug's head, and the golf ball marker depicts at least a portion ofthe lady bug's body.
 12. The golf ball marker assembly according toclaim 9 wherein the bug is a bee.
 13. The golf ball marker assemblyaccording to claim 12 wherein the base depicts at least a portion of thebee's head, and the golf ball marker depicts at least a portion of thebee's body.
 14. The golf ball marker assembly according to claim 9wherein the bug is a butterfly.
 15. The golf ball marker assemblyaccording to claim 1 wherein the base comprises mounting portion forreleasably mounting the marker, and a raised portion adjacent themounting portion, the raised portion form at least part of visibleportion of the base.